Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Jack Deacy (212) 788-2969
The Mayor urged New Yorkers to heighten their awareness of the disease and the support services and programs available to Alzheimer's victims and their families.
"Because this devastating disease affects 150,000 New Yorkers, knowledge about the disease and related illnesses and the many programs and services offered free of charge to support victims and caregivers is absolutely essential", Mayor Giuliani said. "Patients and families who have to bear the physical, emotional and financial burden this disease extracts should be aware that they don't have to bear the burden alone. There is help and support out there."
Alzheimer's Disease, a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in memory loss, disorientation, impairment of judgment and loss of communication skills, is the fourth leading cause of death among elderly Americans. It affects over 10 percent of Americans over the age of 65 and over half of those over 85. There is no cure and no diagnostic test to detect the disease.
"A close friend and associate of mine, Herman Badillo, recently lost his wife to Alzheimer's," the Mayor noted. "And I can tell you, and so can Herman, that no one should have to face the stress of this disease alone. It is such a heart wrenching deterioration to witness that the caretakers of those afflicted with Alzheimer's are known as the second victims."
The Mayor noted that New York City has established the Alzheimer's Resource Center in the Department for the Aging, the first municipally-sponsored Alzheimer program of its kind in the nation. The Center, which works closely with the New York Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, sponsors an annual Mayoral Conference on Alzheimer's disease which brings together 1000 heath care providers, caregivers, policy makers, researchers and academics to discuss Alzheimer-related issues.
Mayor Giuliani also paid tribute to the important work of the New York Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, which supports research, provides information and support services to patients, their families and caregivers, and maintains a nationwide 24-hour information and referral phone line.
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